Curiosity seekers might be interested in seeking out old films like this for samples of politically incorrect, often times racist language that passed for the norm well before the civil rights movement. The Mexican laborers on the Don Toreno ranch are routinely called peons throughout the story, even referring to each other with the name. It was a bit unusual too, to see the term in writing as part of Don Toreno's will, in which he gives his employees the land they live on free and clear upon the reading of his will.
Therein lies the tale for this Republic 'B' programmer starring Don 'Red' Barry, who comes to the aid of the Mexicans after their mysterious local hero 'El Lobo' (Neyle Marx) is killed in a gun battle. As Jim Lawrence, a former worker on the Toreno ranch, Barry dons the black mask and cape to echo the spirit of El Lobo to keep the villains confused and constantly off balance. The chief bad guy is none other than Milburn Stone, well before his Doc Adams days on 'Gunsmoke', and perhaps a bit difficult to recognize if you've only seen him as the crusty doctor. At times, he seems to be taking orders from crooked sheriff Jeffers (Rex Lease), but it's Stan Borden (Stone) who has designs on the Toreno ranch and Miss Elanita (Virginia Carroll).
The one curious thing about the movie that would have given away Lawrence's identity under the mask - none of the Mexicans ever spoke to him in Spanish - hmm. However he did give out with a 'Hasta la vista' line at one point, but hey, even the Terminator got away with that one.
It seemed like the film makers attempted to add some comic relief to the story with the introduction of a black character named Memphis (Ernest Wilson). That didn't seem to go anywhere, as his gimmick with a pair of dice was never expanded. He also had to suffer the aforementioned racial angle by being called 'boy' as he got off the stage. He looked like he was hired to be a cook on the ranch, but it wound up as a throwaway part.
What wound up being cool about the story was the way it ended. As the suspense built to a head for the reading of the will, both bad guys drew down on each other to reveal their villainy and take each other out. I can't recall an ending like that in another Western, though there's probably one out there.
The one thing that did get a chuckle out of me was the closing scene. By that time, Barry's character managed to charm his way into a relationship with Miss Elanita. He's shown handling the local minister's business card citing - 'Marriages - $5.00 or one heifer"!
Therein lies the tale for this Republic 'B' programmer starring Don 'Red' Barry, who comes to the aid of the Mexicans after their mysterious local hero 'El Lobo' (Neyle Marx) is killed in a gun battle. As Jim Lawrence, a former worker on the Toreno ranch, Barry dons the black mask and cape to echo the spirit of El Lobo to keep the villains confused and constantly off balance. The chief bad guy is none other than Milburn Stone, well before his Doc Adams days on 'Gunsmoke', and perhaps a bit difficult to recognize if you've only seen him as the crusty doctor. At times, he seems to be taking orders from crooked sheriff Jeffers (Rex Lease), but it's Stan Borden (Stone) who has designs on the Toreno ranch and Miss Elanita (Virginia Carroll).
The one curious thing about the movie that would have given away Lawrence's identity under the mask - none of the Mexicans ever spoke to him in Spanish - hmm. However he did give out with a 'Hasta la vista' line at one point, but hey, even the Terminator got away with that one.
It seemed like the film makers attempted to add some comic relief to the story with the introduction of a black character named Memphis (Ernest Wilson). That didn't seem to go anywhere, as his gimmick with a pair of dice was never expanded. He also had to suffer the aforementioned racial angle by being called 'boy' as he got off the stage. He looked like he was hired to be a cook on the ranch, but it wound up as a throwaway part.
What wound up being cool about the story was the way it ended. As the suspense built to a head for the reading of the will, both bad guys drew down on each other to reveal their villainy and take each other out. I can't recall an ending like that in another Western, though there's probably one out there.
The one thing that did get a chuckle out of me was the closing scene. By that time, Barry's character managed to charm his way into a relationship with Miss Elanita. He's shown handling the local minister's business card citing - 'Marriages - $5.00 or one heifer"!